Portsmouth 25th - 26th July 26
Hampshire is ready to welcome you for an unforgettable year of culture, coast and great days out. Whether you love historic cities, family‑friendly attractions or beautiful countryside, you’ll find plenty to Hampshire events to enjoy across the county in every season.
From city celebrations and outdoor festivals to family attractions and seasonal events, Hampshire offers an exciting calendar of events throughout 2026. This summer, in Portsmouth, the city celebrates its 100th anniversary, with a host of events and a 100 things to see and do - one of the highlights is the fun and colourful summer of lion sculptures dotted across streets and along the seafront, perfect for families, art lovers and anyone looking for a fresh way to explore - on from the 13 July - 13 September (F). It's the final weekend of the Basingstoke Festival 4 - 5 July, with street theatre, acrobatics, and world-class performances - free to visit (F), whilst in East Hampshire now is the perfect time to visit the beautiful Lavender Fields near Alton. In Winchester, the brand new outdoor Play Wild opens at Winchester Science Centre from the 18 July, inviting curiosity and discovery through science and nature-themed play.
Get your skates on down to Southampton's RollerLand at Westquay, for roller skating lessons, regular and late skate sessions this summer, 17 - 30 August, plus the chance to enjoy some retail therapy at more 70 stores, including John Lewis. The fantastic fast and furious British Motor Show returns to Farnborough from 21 - 23 August, with supercars, a test-driving zone, pit lane experience and festival fields. If you book before the 16 August you can save up to 20% on ticket prices.
From scenic coastlines and vibrant events to cosy villages, walking trails and excellent places to eat, Hampshire is the ideal destination for a short break or longer escape. Start planning your 2026 summer adventure today and discover some of the county's top events, attractions and experiences.
Grab your calendar and take a look at what's happening in Hampshire over the coming months with our featured events list or scroll to the bottom and discover hundreds of events happening today, this weekend and across this year.
You can find a wide range of events taking place across Hampshire today and this weekend, including theatre shows, interactive workshops, wildlife experiences and outdoor events in the Hampshire countryside. Use the date filters above, or browse the listings to find lots of inspiration and ideas for something happening near you. Families on a budget can look out for the many free events (Free) taking place.
If you're travelling from outside the county for an event in Hampshire, there are numerous hotels and other accommodation options to suit your needs. Search Hampshire accommodation to plan your stay, whether your choose the coastal city of Portsmouth or Southampton, Winchester - the ancient capital of England - or a more rural stay in Chawton or Alton, East Hampshire.
Yes, Hampshire hosts a wide range of family-friendly events throughout the year, from nature trails, outdoor festivals, science fairs and interactive school holiday activities. Use the 'type filter' in the search box above and choose family to find suitable events. During the summer holidays and key seasonal periods, you'll find even more events designed for children and families, with activities suitable for all ages.
The guide below shows our full calendar of events in Hampshire. Whether you're looking for what's on this weekend or planning further ahead, you'll find plenty of inspiration. If you're local or visiting Hampshire for the first time, use the 'Map View' button to discover events happening near you.
Some of the events below take place on the Isle of Wight, which is easily accessible by ferry or hovercraft from Portsmouth or Lymington.
Number of results: 144
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Outdoor Event / Activities
Sarson Lane, Andover
Thursday November 26 – Saturday 28 | Sunday November 29
3:30pm-7:30pm | 11:00am-3:00pm
Enjoy the run up to Christmas with the Hawk Conservancy Trust's delightful, festive shopping experience. Discover beautiful gifts for your loved ones while…
Outdoor Event / Activities
Sandown
Head out with the team from Dinosaur Isle Museum for a fossil hunting walk. These really popular walks will take you to fantastic locations to find fossils and learn about the geology of the Isle of Wight and about palaeontology. Walks take place in…
Carnival
Ventnor
Ventnor Illuminated Carnival on the Isle of Wight Join in with the carnival fun of Ventnor's Illuminated procession!
Carnival route information For the route details please visit the carnival website.
Arts
Petersfield
About the Event
Everything You Need to Paint a Masterpiece
Join The Paint Club for a relaxed and creative evening of painting! One of our friendly artists will guide you step-by-step from a blank canvas to your very own work of art.
Each artist…
Music
Lymington
Fresh from Hampshire's Longhope Opera Festival, Scherzo Ensemble brings their hilarious staged version of Mozart's 'Cosi fan tutte' with a 10 piece chamber orchestra to Kingfishers this August. This is an abridged production with all the best music…
Tour
Ryde
For a unique experience only offered on the South Coast, try a Hovercraft Experience Flights on your next visit to Portsmouth or the Isle of Wight
Outdoor Event / Activities
Sarson Lane, Andover
Saturday September 26, October 3, October 10, October 17 and October 24
Doors open 5:30pm | Flying display commences 7pm
This autumn, venture out into the night with the beautiful owls at the Hawk Conservancy Trust. Experience the mystical owls'…
Show / Display
Romsey
The Romsey Show takes place in September at Broadlands in Romsey. The Show is one of the largest one-day country shows in the South and is run by a large team of dedicated volunteers. The show provides a fantastic day out with something for all the…
Talks
23 Harbour Parade, Southampton
Enhance your skills with the help of our Estee expert at John Lewis Southampton and learn about the tips and tricks to achieve the perfect complexion, finish and discover new makeup trends to elevate your skills and inspire your artistry.
General event
Southampton
Shieldhall will initially steam down Southampton Water to the Solent, passing the cruise ships Arvia and Queen Anne – always the chance to sound our whistle and play the ‘Shieldhall Organ’! Then heading east, Shieldhall will pass into Portsmouth…
Participatory Event
Beaulieu
Join New Forest Activities in Beaulieu for a fantastic introduction to the world of Bushcraft, based in the heart of the New Forest National Park.
Outdoor Event / Activities
Sarson Lane, Andover
Friday 18, Saturday 19, Sunday 20, Monday 21 December
Food available from 4:30pm | Flying display commences 7pm
Join the Hawk Conservancy Trust for a special evening to get you in the Christmas spirit! Sing along with Christmas carols, both…
Heritage & History
Churchill Way West, Winchester
Basingstoke HEMA (Historic European Martial Arts) and Andover HEMA will be displaying their skills with clashes of swords and armour in the magnificent, historic setting of The Great Hall.
Sword fighting experts will be battling it out with…
School Holidays
Farnham
Roll, chase and explore the new exciting ball runs that will be popping up across Birdworld in Surrey this summer.
Outdoor Event / Activities
Winchester
Get ready for the wildest summer adventure as Zoofest returns to Marwell Zoo from **23 July to 31 August**. This brand-new, festival-inspired celebration is packed with family fun, bringing together incredible wildlife, live entertainment and…
Food
Alton
Alton FlavourFest returns to The Public Gardens on Sunday 6 September, from 11am-4pm! It's free!
Get ready for a gastronomic extravaganza, with over 60 vibrant food and drink stalls, sizzling street eats, irresistible cookery demonstrations,…
Music
Winchester
Journey beyond the stars in an extraordinary experience that combines classical music and the cosmos at Winchester Science Centre.
Set beneath the vast dome of a planetarium, this immersive live event transports audiences through breathtaking…
Festival
University Road, Southampton
One of the longest-standing science festivals in Europe, welcoming over 10,000 visitors each year, the British Science Festival comes to the University of Southampton this September.
Walking
Islandwide
Walk this way! The Isle of Wight Walking Festival, sponsored by Outdooractive, will return in Spring and Autumn 2026.
Outdoor Event / Activities
Ringwood
Stop scrolling Go Ape! On a staycation in Dorset or Hampshire and searching for nearby activities? We've got you covered, right in the heart of the stunning Moors Valley Country Park. Go Ape is one of the best outdoor activities in the area
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